ABC News Daily Is it time to rethink flying with Gulf airlines?
Mar 22, 2026
Ian Douglas, aviation management lecturer and analyst, explains how Gulf hubs grew and why they are uniquely vulnerable now. He outlines flight cancellations, rerouting pressures and crowded alternative corridors. He discusses safety legacies like MH17 and the reputational and pricing fallout for carriers.
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Why Gulf Hubs Became Global Gateways
- Gulf hubs grew because geography, long-range aircraft, and government investment combined to create dominant global connectivity.
- Ian Douglas notes Emirates built capacity over 30 years using new long-range planes and massive airport and fleet investment to serve Europe, Asia, Australia and beyond.
Rerouted Flights Create Congested Alternative Corridors
- Airspace closures around the Gulf have created dense alternative corridors north of Iran and south of Russia, leaving a 'hole' over the conflict zone.
- Ian Douglas points to flight-tracking showing heavy traffic rerouted over Turkey and near Russia while Gulf airspace remains empty.
Gulf Carriers Undercut European Direct Routes
- Gulf carriers outcompeted European airlines by offering higher frequency and connections into second and third tier European cities.
- Ian Douglas explains Qantas and others couldn't match the Gulf's reach, so many European carriers stopped servicing Australia directly.